Following the proposition raised by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny panel with regards to Apprentice Funding the JeCC has issued the following press release to the media on Monday 25 November.
“The Jersey Construction Council (JeCC) would like to support the proposal by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel for additional public investment in apprenticeships and review the existing scheme to better meet the needs of students and employers. The disparity between vocational and academic education is extremely concerning and this is leading to a shortfall in those students wanting to further their education on-island.
The government’s 2022 Carbon Neutral Roadmap also highlights the need for on-island skills and states that ‘the Government of Jersey will put the development of on-Island skills at the heart of future economic and skills strategy, including integrating green skills into the Future Economy’
Construction industry students, including apprentices, trainees and graduates are critical for developing those on-island skills to maintain our critical infrastructure and built environment. Every pound spent in construction returns around three pounds of locally delivered value, so this investment would be local money well spent. Those completing apprenticeships live, learn and develop on island, delivering benefits across all sectors, unlike some academic degree courses.
In addition to the specific funding, the JeCC encourage news skills to be taught to apprentices. With new skill requirements, however, comes the challenge of delivering these courses. Often, training providers need to be brought to Jersey to deliver these courses, with the additional cost sometimes becoming prohibitive and the process often complex.
JeCC Vice Chairman, Colin Russell said ‘we need to work together and cut through the red tape. Renewable Energy courses at Highlands College were part funded by a grant obtained from the Business Licensing fees. The JeCC had to step in to facilitate this funding on behalf of Highlands College because the College could not access these Government funds directly.
Mr Russell added ‘Compounding this issue is the impact of the introduction of the minimum wage in 2024 and the planned increase to the living wage in 2025. This is having a detrimental effect on all students undertaking vocational courses on and off Island, we fear the number being employed will be reduced year on year. We need a joined up approach to life long learning, and would call on all the Ministers involved; education, environment, infrastructure and
economy to get together and address this important issue’
Numbers of Electrical Apprentices attending Highlands College has significantly reduced for the first time, the number of Apprentices enrolled on the 2023 Electrical course were 3 groups of 14 Apprentices plus a waiting list to join, 2024 intake is 2 groups of 12 Apprentices and no waiting list, a 55% drop in Apprentice numbers just in the Electrical area”.
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